Method and device for grouping floating objects in batches with hydraulic superposition of the objects

A device for grouping floating objects in batches comprising:

• at least one channel, named an accumulation channel;
• a hydraulic supply device adapted to form, in each accumulation channel, a hydraulic current capable of transporting the floating objects along the accumulation channel;
• an object supply device for supplying objects to an upstream portion of each accumulation channel;
• each accumulation channel being provided, at a downstream end, with a retaining/releasing device for retaining/releasing the objects which the accumulation channel contains;
• and
• each accumulation channel having, at least in a downstream portion, named a superposition zone, a height greater than the maximum overall vertical size of each object so as to be able to receive superposed objects,
• wherein
• each accumulation channel comprises a projection of a bottom of the accumulation channel forming a cross-sectional restriction provided upstream of said superposition zone, said cross-sectional restriction allowing the speed of the hydraulic current to be locally accelerated,
• wherein
• said hydraulic supply device is configured to adjust a speed of the hydraulic current to a value sufficient to bring about a hydraulic superposition of the objects retained in the superposition zone of the accumulation channel against the retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the objects, said hydraulic superposition of the objects resulting from the effect of said sufficient value of the speed of the hydraulic current pushing the objects against the closed retaining/releasing device.

A device for grouping floating objects in batches comprising:

• at least one channel, named an accumulation channel;
• a hydraulic supply device adapted to form, in each accumulation channel, a hydraulic current capable of transporting the floating objects along the accumulation channel;
• an object supply device for supplying objects to an upstream portion of each accumulation channel;
• each accumulation channel being provided, at a downstream end, with a retaining/releasing device for retaining/releasing the objects which the accumulation channel contains;
• and
• each accumulation channel having, at least in a downstream portion, named a superposition zone, a height greater than the maximum overall vertical size of each object so as to be able to receive superposed objects,
• wherein
• said hydraulic supply device is configured to form a first layer of objects floating at the surface of the hydraulic current in the accumulation channel,
• said hydraulic supply device is configured to adjust a speed of the hydraulic current to a value sufficient to bring about a hydraulic superposition of the objects retained in the superposition zone of the accumulation channel against the retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the objects, said hydraulic superposition of the objects resulting from the effect of said sufficient value of the speed of the hydraulic current pushing the objects against the closed retaining/releasing device,
• said hydraulic supply device comprises, upstream of each accumulation channel, a controlled valve, named a channel valve, arranged so as to be able to be placed in at least one first position corresponding to a first average speed value of the hydraulic current in said accumulation channel, and in at least one second position corresponding to at least one second average speed value, greater than each first value, of the hydraulic current capable of bringing about a superposition of the objects in the superposition zone of the accumulation channel against the retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the objects, and
• a control unit is adapted to control each channel valve between said positions.

A method for grouping floating objects in batches in at least one channel, named an accumulation channel, comprising:

• forming in each accumulation channel a horizontal hydraulic current having a horizontal speed capable of horizontally transporting the objects floating in each accumulation channel;
• supplying an upstream portion of at least one accumulation channel with objects floating at the surface of said horizontal hydraulic current so that the floating objects are horizontally transported by said horizontal hydraulic current along the accumulation channel as far as a downstream end of the accumulation channel provided with a retaining/releasing device for retaining/releasing the floating objects;
• and
• each accumulation channel having, at least in a downstream portion, named a superposition zone, a height greater than the maximum overall vertical size of each floating object so as to be able to receive superposed floating objects,
• wherein said horizontal speed of said horizontal hydraulic current formed in at least one accumulation channel is adjusted to a sufficient value so as to bring about a superposition of the floating objects retained in the superposition zone of the accumulation channel against the retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the floating objects, said superposition of the floating objects resulting from the effect of said sufficient value of said horizontal speed of said horizontal hydraulic current pushing the floating objects against said closed retaining/releasing device.

A device for grouping floating objects in batches comprising:

• at least one channel, named an accumulation channel;
• a hydraulic supply device adapted to form, in each accumulation channel, a horizontal hydraulic current having a horizontal speed capable of horizontally transporting the objects floating along the accumulation channel;
• an object supply device for supplying objects to an upstream portion of each accumulation channel;
• each accumulation channel being provided, at a downstream end of the accumulation channel, with a retaining/releasing device for retaining/releasing the objects which the accumulation channel contains;
• and
• each accumulation channel having, at least in a downstream portion, named a superposition zone, a height greater than the maximum overall vertical size of each object so as to be able to receive superposed objects,
• wherein said hydraulic supply device is configured to form in each accumulation channel said horizontal hydraulic current with said horizontal speed adjusted to a sufficient value capable of bringing about a superposition of the floating objects retained in said superposition zone of the accumulation channel against said retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the floating objects, said superposition of the floating objects resulting from the effect of said sufficient value of said horizontal speed of said horizontal hydraulic current pushing the floating objects against said closed retaining/releasing device.